Comments on: Century’s Water Well Supplying Prison Suffers ‘Catastrophic’ Failure

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 18:00:23 +0000

Why would anyone move to an area with NO jobs? If there are no jobs, you don’t need stores or restaurants, and you end up with towns that are just skeletons. It’s happened all over the country, not just in our little corner of the world.

By: Ruffner Brothers

Ruffner Brothers — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 01:28:20 +0000

Can we all admit Century is not a real town…?

The things that happen there are almost beyond comprehension.

Should be the location for a reality show…

By: SHO-NUFF

SHO-NUFF — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 23:08:44 +0000

Century correctional facility is a state run prison, not a private for profit business.
I am surprised the state depends on a small city owned water and sewer system to supply the prison, especially with the track record and history of both utilities being far from dependable and mismanaged.

If the prison inmate population is rowdy now, wait until they cant shower or flush a toilet.

The town of Century needs to dissolve, period.
A lot of good intentions by many people trying to make it once again what it once was, and a proud place to call home.
The town existed and thrived almost 100 years ago now because of the Sawmill that employed many, supported local businesses and most important created a tax base.
There are many once thriving ghost towns all over Florida and Alabama that depended on sawmills to survive. The trees were gone and the sawmill went also.
Alger-Sullivan is gone. It will not come back, so stop hanging on to its history.

The only reason Century is not a ghost town is its location. Its on the main road leading into Florida from I-65.with hundreds of thousands of people driving right through the middle of it.
The potential to make it a welcome station into northwest Florida is huge. Northwest Florida as a destination is growing daily but it takes vision and money to get people to stop.
I drive down Hwy 29 from Pensacola several times a year and can’t believe the lack of curb appeal in Century.
If I need to stop for gas I wait until I cross the bridge into Flomaton and its not much better there either.

Century, with the right folks in charge could become a boutique community with shops and restaurants. A destination to stop at on the way to the Gulf coast beaches.
If in doubt, get off at the Foley exit and head down Hwy. 59 towards Gulf Shores.
Foley was once a sleepy little town, go look at it now. Jobs and money are everywhere.
Someone needs to get onboard with a vision and a staff that can see the potential or it will never change,

By: Century

Century — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 21:22:37 +0000

I guess Every one water bill will be higher

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 19:46:52 +0000

Disband the Century “government” and let Escambia County solve these issues.

By: Jim Stanton

Jim Stanton — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 18:22:26 +0000

So, until September 9, the entire town of Century is just one lightning strike away from having no water or having to depend on Central Water Works for water. Sounds like the entire town council needs to be fired for letting the number two well be down for two years. Very poor town management, water is a basic necessity, but the present town council seems to not care about that by not working to get the number two well back up and running.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:55:51 +0000

It took decades for Century to get where its at today.
Its not ever going to get better next week,next month,next year or next decade.
Its decades of financial issues, of mis governance passed down from the old buddy system.
You are doing the same thing over and over and over again expecting a better outcome.
Lack of education and accountability flourish in this town.
They just will never understand the end is almost near.
Thats really sad for us residents.
NO ONE is qualified by anything but being voted it.
That doesn’t make ANYONE qualified.
NO ONE is as we dont attract businesses or life people want to grow in.
NOTHING TO OFFER!!!
The only thing keeping the town going is Century Prison.
Unless you want a job at Whataburger so you can save on a 401k and have a retirement…and I might add stock options…NOT!
THAT PRISON will survive by investment and law.
The town is history.
I wish it could survive for the people who are at the ignorance being in the township.
Its end is immediate and precise.
So sad and shameful.

By: Rodney Burkett

Rodney Burkett — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:25:12 +0000

What is amazing here is no one cares until it gets to this point. This problem is due to the nickel and dime way people want the town run. Nobody wants to pay what is required to properly operate and provide essential services for the citizens. So what does politically motivated people do, they keep it on the cheap. Which always results in disaster.
We can talk about the why all day long, but that doesn’t make a solution. You know why Central Water Works is in a position to supply water to the prison? Planning! Over 25 years ago Central Water Works personell developed a plan for not only it’s current and future residential customers, but also potential residential and commercial and possible industrial customers. With the cooperative efforts of the then sitting Board of Directors, County Commissioner, State Representatives, CWW planned and secured funds to ready themselves for the future. One of the main things they done was set a rate structure that supported these actions gradually and responsibly, which help prevent surprises. Central Water Works is reaping those benefits today.

By: RaD

RaD — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:14:53 +0000

What profit does the City make annually providing water to the prison. If it is not at least $50,000/year, it is not worth spending the $500,000. Sell the contract to Central Water Works for whatever you can get out of them and abandon the well.

By: did you know

did you know — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 15:53:48 +0000

sam, Century CI is in Central Water Works franchise district. But The Town Administration at the time Century CI was built did some underhanded dealing with the State and not only got the water, they also got the prison named for the town (most State Correctional Institutions are named for the county they are in. The Town’s Administration at the time saw a money maker and job supplier and went with it.. The town once again had money and spent it, but they did not put any away for the up keep on the water wells. Water wells should have a work over about every 10 to 15 years, but they have not. Now the town is paying for the mismanagement.
Century CI is in no way at fault for any of this and your comment to move the prison was just plain ignorant!